Lexus Teases Their Three-Row RX Before LA: Comments

[William Maley]

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Rumors have been flying for the past year or about Lexus introducing a three-row variant of their RX crossover and it appears to be materializing. 

Today, Lexus released a teaser photo of the RX L that will be debuting a couple weeks at the LA Auto Show. We can't make out any details as the picture just shows the nameplate. It will be offered with the 3.5L V6 (RX 350L) and hybrid powertrain (RX 450hL).

It is expected that the RX L will have the same wheelbase length as the standard RX, but have a longer rear overhang to make room for the third-row.

Source: Lexus
Press Release is on Page 2

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The Power of Three: All-new 3-row Lexus RXL to Debut at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 15, 2017 – How can the top-selling Lexus RX get even better? Make more of it. The all-new 2018 RX 350L, now featuring three rows, will make its World Premiere at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show. The hybrid model, the RX 450hL, will also be announced. The RX that paved the way for the luxury crossover segment 20 years ago will retain its stylish figure while also providing more flexibility for passengers.
 
The RX 350L will be revealed at the Lexus Press Conference taking place on November 29, 2017 at 10:00 am PST in the South Hall at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  

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[G. David Felt]

This should be interesting, hopefully it does not look weird in an extra length version. After all the Trailblazer / Envoy had an extra length version that did sell but not in the expected numbers just to have a 3rd row and extra storage space. Then again Lexus owners are a little bit strange.  

[Robert Hall]

So I wonder if this will render the GX redundant?  it's a BOF 3 row SUV that is still around, but long ago forgotten...

[smk4565]

The GX is hopelessly dated, it had a V8 making 302 hp or some level that modern 4 cylinders can make.  3 row RX means they can kill GX or move it to some new chassis and push up the price.

[riviera74]

Lexus is doing it wrong.  They should take a page out of GM's Lambda platform and do that instead of a pseudo-three row CUV sandwiched into what should be a two-row CUV.

[Robert Hall]

They need to lengthen the wheelbase.  The current RX only has a 109.x inch wheelbase, the GX 112.9...both are too short for a 3 row, needs more like 118-120 for proper legroom for the 2nd and 3rd rows.

Oddly, the Highlander has a 109.x wheelbase and 3 rows, wonder how the legroom for the 3rd row is..I read the 2nd row is adjustable...so this RX 3 row sounds like it will be a reskinned Highlander. 

Edited November 16, 2017 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[riviera74]

11 hours ago, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

They need to lengthen the wheelbase.  The current RX only has a 109.x inch wheelbase, the GX 112.9...both are too short for a 3 row, needs more like 118-120 for proper legroom for the 2nd and 3rd rows.

Oddly, the Highlander has a 109.x wheelbase and 3 rows, wonder how the legroom for the 3rd row is..I read the 2nd row is adjustable...so this RX 3 row sounds like it will be a reskinned Highlander. 

The RX probably IS a Highlander with a Lexus package.  The fact that the Highlander has a 3 row option is actually proof that the RX (and Highlander) are simply too short/small to handle three rows well.  Unless you only seat small children in the third row.  Toyota/Lexus should simply build a proper 3 row crossover just like the GM Lambdas.

[Robert Hall]

7 hours ago, riviera74 said:

The RX probably IS a Highlander with a Lexus package.  The fact that the Highlander has a 3 row option is actually proof that the RX (and Highlander) are simply too short/small to handle three rows well.  Unless you only seat small children in the third row.  Toyota/Lexus should simply build a proper 3 row crossover just like the GM Lambdas.

I think the Highlander and RX have always been platform siblings since the beginning. 

Edited November 17, 2017 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[Drew Dowdell]

On 11/15/2017 at 1:36 PM, smk4565 said:

The GX is hopelessly dated, it had a V8 making 302 hp or some level that modern 4 cylinders can make.  3 row RX means they can kill GX or move it to some new chassis and push up the price.

Again being so one dimensional.  Yes the GX is dated, but a 302 hp V8 is still going to drive smoother and more torquey than a 302hp 2.0T.  A 2.0T in the GX would be completely inappropriate... you'd be into the boost all the time.